“So you don't mind if I leave Ray here with you? I mean she’s sleep, but—”
“Man, gon’ with that shit. You know I’m good on that. Besides, me and my shorty have a rematch at Go Fish that needs to go down anyway. Her cheating ass,” Miego said and laughed.
“Don't say that, she doesn't cheat.” Yami couldn't hold her laugh because she knew he was telling the truth. Ray didn't like to lose, so she would cheat if it meant that she was going to win.
“You’re a damn lie, you know she cheats and you probably taught her that shit. It's cool, though. She can get that.” Miego smiled, thinking about Ray. He was attached already to the point where he didn't mind spending time with Ray, with or without Yami.
“Don't put that on me. I didn't teach her that.” Yami laughed again.
Miego's hand went in the air as he pointed at Yami. “See, you just admitted that shit. You know it's true.”
“I’m about to go, just call me if she gives you any trouble.” Yami tried to stand, but Miego held her in place.
“Damn, can I get a goodbye kiss, a thank you for watching my shorty kiss, and an I want you naked in my bed later kiss?”
“Oh my God, you are so damn extra sometimes.”
Yami turned her face and connected her lips with his, but it wasn't the quick peck she’d planned. Miego did like always and held her close to his body, sending his tongue into her mouth in a way that sucked the energy right out of her. He made sure that every time he had the opportunity to be close to her that he gave her a reason to want more. He was trying to respect her request to take things slow, but being around her every day was making it more complicated. Every once in a while, he would hook up with somebody just to get a release, but Yami would be on his mind the entire time. He had to have her soon.
“You like that shit, though, so quit complaining. Yo, check it. Let's do something tonight.”
“Something like what? I don't really have anywhere for Ray to go. My mother basically won't talk to me, and Yaz, well I don't really know how that’s going to work out.”
“Let me figure all that out.”
She looked at him strangely but agreed. “Umm, okay, but I can't leave her with just anybody.”
“Chill, shorty. I wouldn't expect you to. I got this, go figure shit out with your sister and let me handle it.” He pulled her body into his and then kissed her on the forehead before letting her get up.
Once Yami was on her feet, she moved to the door with Miego right behind her. After dressing in some jeans and a button up polo, she was out the door and praying that things went well. She hated fighting with her sister. It had always been just the two of them against everybody no matter what, so them not talking didn't sit well with Yami, and she needed to fix it, like yesterday.
*****
It was Saturday afternoon, one of her sister’s busiest days at the shop. Yami figured if she addressed her sister at her job then she wouldn't flip out on her too bad. Yaz loved her job and wouldn't jeopardize it for anything. She was the head stylist at Perfections, an upscale salon that dealt with a lot of rich clients. Every powerful black woman in Atlanta was a regular at Perfections, or had been through there at some point, and Yaz handled a lot of them. She was a beast when it came to hair and made a lot of money because of it. Yaz just spent almost every dime she made because she loved to shop, which was why she was still living in the hood.
The second Yami hit the door and Yaz laid eyes on her, she sucked her teeth and turned her clients chair so she could see Yaz’s finished product.
“Girl, you get me right every time. I swear you have a gift.”
Yami looked at the young girl sitting in her sister’s chair and smiled. Yaz had definitely hooked her up, and that couldn’t be denied.
“Thanks, Trece. Just go see Amber and she’ll get you right for your next appointment.”
She nodded and the two women said their goodbyes. Yami waited patiently, and the second she was gone, Yaz looked at her, looked out the front of the shop and then back to her sister.
“I see you’re living good,” Yaz said, referring the car that Yami had pulled up in.
“Yaz, don't do that. I’m here so we can talk. I miss you.”
Yaz laughed under her breath. “You miss me, huh? It doesn't look like it. You riding around in brand new cars. Don't look like you need anything from me anymore, Yami.”
Yami knew Yaz was referencing the fact that Yaz was the one who used to get Ray to and from daycare and Yami back and forth to school. Now that she had her own car, she didn't need her sister for that.
“Really, Yaz? Don't be childish. You really think all I needed you for was to drive me places? I’m your sister.”